The ultimate mom and caregiver, Evangeline “Vangie” Goldie Osgood Grant, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025 while in the Wyoming County Hospital Nursing Facility where she had been in attendance since August 9th. In the previous 4 years, she was in residence at the Field of Dreams Assisted Living Facility in Allegany, NY; a place that had become like home to her. Living in Houghton, NY with her beloved husband of 70 years, “Vangie” and Harold, who predeceased her, raised their five children.
Vangie was born on April 8, 1933 in the town of Stockholm, NY to parents Rev. Dennis and Clara Parker Osgood and, as a preacher’s kid, moved frequently through the years as her father ministered to many churches in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. She graduated high school in Kingston, NY and worked at the W.T. Grant store in Kingston. Catching the eye of the youth group leader, Harold (“Hank”), she married the love of her life on June 30, 1951 in Chichester, NY.
Survivors include her five children: David (Molly Wenke) Grant of Florida; Vicki Grant-White (Earl) of Houghton, NY; Michael (Donna Hartman) Grant of Honeyoe, NY; Valerie (Michael) Smith of Caneadea, NY; and Rebecca (Larry) Griffin of Houghton and Florida. Boasting 19 grandchildren and 34 (and 1 on the way) great-grandchildren, she loved sincerely all of her “grands” with open arms, often babysitting 8-10 at a time. Grandchildren are Tara Grant, Julianna Bordonaro, Liz Bordonaro, Caellin Grant, Max Grant, Brandon Fegley, Lia O’Gorman, Shayna Skretny, Aaron Grant, Daniel Grant, Amanda Baker, CT Calhoun, Chelsea Young, Justin Smith, Benjamin Smith, Tonya Akin, Sean Griffin, Brittany Griffin, and Joshua Griffin. There were 3 persons named after her: Lia (Evangelia) Elan O’Gorman, Evangeline Liberty Grant, and Evan John O’Gorman. Other survivors include brother-in-law James Ross and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her sisters and brothers including, Esther (Peg) and Rev. Robert Capen, Durward and Ruth Osgood, Donald and Joan Osgood, and Marilyn Ross.
Vangie worked at Houghton College’s book store in the later 70’s and was a caregiver, which she loved, to individuals in the surrounding community. She was in a church bowling league for 4 years, was a member of the Houghton Fire Department Auxiliary, and a Wesleyan church member for many years, attending at Houghton Wesleyan Church.
Building on her love for young people, she, along with her husband, were dorm parents and took in several students in their home over the years when they didn’t have any place to go or needed help financially, earning her the title of “Macho” together with her husband’s moniker of “Pacho.”
She loved her books and reading, as well as playing on her “Black Beauty” piano and accordion. She often wrote stories and poems for others. She often joked that her initials both before and after marriage spelled something (EGO and EGG), though she wasn’t sure that she wanted to be either one of those.
Most importantly, Vangie was kind, quiet, and unassuming as she sat in the notice of others; observing other’s needs while going without herself, trying to obey what God required of her in loving one another. She truly lived up to the meaning of her name, Evangeline – “One who brings good news.”
Family and friends may gather from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Houghton Wesleyan church. Paul Shea and Jon Cole will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Houghton Wesleyan Food Pantry, the Houghton Fire Department, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be made at: www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com
